A sewer system overflow last week filled a roadside ditch with gray sewage water next to the Marthasville Ball Park. Regulators said the contamination was not cleaned up for several days.Heavy rain Tuesday, June 26, was attributed as the cause of the overflow, which occurred along One Street. Photographs showed water streaming out of the sewer manhole cover between the road and the northern ball field.Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff said sewer system overflows are common in periods of wet weather. DNR received a complaint Wednesday that the site was contaminated, and inspected the area on Friday.“On Friday afternoon when I was there, there were still solids in the ditches and we could smell the sewer smells,” said DNR environmental specialist Mike Monterastelli. He said he spoke with board of aldermen President Dan Grafrath, and they agreed that the problem would be addressed by Saturday.DNR received photos later on Friday showing that the area had been scraped of solids and lime was applied to neutralize any remaining sewage, Monterastelli said.Ethel Myers, the environmental manager in charge of the water section at DNR’s St. Louis regional office, said the issue has now been adequately addressed. She recommended caution around the site for the time being.“Whether that area is safe to go on right now mostly depends on how much rain you’ve had,” Myers said. “Once you have a good soaking rain, that lime should get neutralized and it will be ok to be in that area again.Until then, DNR recommends keeping children and pets out of the ditch around the manhole. Myers said there should not be any health concerns for anyone using the ball field.She added that anyone with additional sanitary sewer concerns can call the St. Louis regional office at 314-416-2960, or submit a concern online at DNR’s website.Marthasville Mayor David Lange declined a request for comment.

Sewage waste covers the ground near the Marthasville Ball Park after an overflow Tuesday, June 26. Officials with Missouri Department of Natural Resources said similar incidents are common after heavy rain.

Submitted photo